Simont Braun ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA 2024

Last Wednesday, Legal 500 unveiled its 2024 rankings, highlighting our firm’s ongoing excellence. Our teams not only maintained but also enhanced their recognitions, garnering additional praise in two new categories. We warmly thank all team members for their motivation and hard work. We are also grateful to our peers and valued clients for their trust […]

Compton Cases | Geographical Names as Fashion Trademarks

In two judgements of 28 February 2024 in related cases T-746/22 and T-747/22, the General Court of the EU (GCEU) upheld the validity of two EU trademark registrations containing the geographical name ‘Compton’, which it considers distinctive and not descriptive for fashion items like clothing and bags. These judgments provide a good opportunity to refresh […]

INSURANCE LAW | New Rules on Time Limits and Penalties

On 14 March 2024, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted a draft law setting up new rules on time limits and penalties for the payment of insurance covers and benefits (the “Law”). The Law will enter into force on the first day of the 6th month following its publication in the Official Gazette – which should […]

RGPD et Amendes Administratives | Importantes précisions apportées par la CJEU

Le 5 décembre 2023, la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne a rendu deux arrêts importants1 précisant les conditions pour imposer une amende administrative à un responsable de traitement en raison d’une violation du Règlement général sur la protection des données (règlement 2016/679 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 27 avril 2016 relatif à […]

Video Games Series | The Use of Personal Data in the Industry

The video game industry’s increasing reliance on personal data presents a complex legal landscape that game developers must carefully navigate. As the gaming landscape evolves, the role of personal data becomes more pronounced. This article delves into two key aspects: the utilisation of personal data in game analytics and the recurrent theme of data breaches […]

RGPD et Droit à la Réparation | Importantes précisions apportées par la CJUE

En décembre 2023 et janvier 2024, la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne a rendu plusieurs arrêts1 qui apportent d’importantes précisions en ce qui concerne le droit à réparation pour le dommage moral subi en raison d’une violation du RGPD, droit consacré à l’article 82 du Règlement général sur la protection des données (règlement 2016/679 […]

Video Games Series | Legal Implications Surrounding AI Use

In this second episode, we will focus on two significant uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games: driving non-player characters (NPCs) and adapting game worlds. We will examine the legal issues associated with these uses, including copyright infringement, ownership of AI-generated content, image rights, and patentability of AI inventions. We will also briefly touch […]

Simont Braun assists Eurofins with the acquisition of Ecca

Simont Braun successfully assisted Eurofins, a world leader in laboratory testing services, with its acquisition of the large Belgian-based laboratory Ecca. Eurofins is a multinational world leader in laboratory testing services in the food, environment, pharma products & agroscience CRO sectors. ECCA is one of the largest Belgian-based laboratories in the country, active in laboratory […]

Video Games Series | Skin Betting

The practice of gambling is an age-old phenomenon, with there being no shortage of various rules and stakes that are thrown into the balance. One of the latest examples is using items in video games known as ‘skins’ to bet on the outcome of gaming competitions. Despite originating from within the video games sphere, the […]

Mise à jour de la Taxe Caïman!

Dans son récent article1 publié dans la revue Actualités Fiscales, Jacques Malherbe explore la version 2.1 de la Taxe Caïman, à la suite d’une mise à jour législative significative entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2024. Lisez l’article ici 1. Extrait de Actualités fiscales (Wolters Kluwer), 2023, n° 41, p. 4 Pour toute question, veuillez […]

INSOLVENCY Series | Episode 5: Cross-border Insolvency and International Aspects

In today’s globalised economy, businesses commonly operate in multiple States and engage with international creditors. Consequently, financial difficulties faced by a business often transcend national borders. Hence, insolvency proceedings opened in a State will frequently have cross-border implications. Several questions arise when a debtor’s insolvency has or may have cross-border implications, namely: Jurisdiction: which courts […]